Winning a grant deserves a celebration…and planning to do more work
Congratulations, your organization has received a grant! Celebrate the good news…but then roll up your sleeves once more. The work isn’t finished yet.
You’ve some critical post-award grant activities to manage.
1. Mind your manners
As adults, let’s not forget the magic words of “please” and “thank you.” Often, organizations forget to express thanks for a grant. Neglecting this basic rule of etiquette can make your organization seem entitled or dismissive of funders.
“Strengthening relationships with donors by sending out a thank you letter will not only help secure future funding but will give the donor a way to know that you appreciate their support,” says writer Cheryl Cirelli.
“Letters also serve as a record of a gift and can often be used for tax purposes.”
No matter how busy you are, be sure to demonstrate gratitude for awarded grant by sending a gift acknowledgement letter. (A handwritten letter is more personal and feels warmer than an email.)
2. Update the team
Don’t rely on water cooler conversations to spread the happy news. Instead, actively communicate with your team. Gather the people involved in getting the grant to discuss your next steps.
“During this meeting the chair, typically the project director, should confirm the details in the notice or letter of grant award, the project work plan, and accountability fort results, record keeping, and statistical reporting,” according to the Nonprofit Times.
3. Assign a grant manager
Getting the grant is only a part of the process. Whether you have a dedicated grant manager or someone on your staff has added “grant manager” to their everyday responsibilities, you can’t eliminate the role just because the funding has been granted. Regardless of who’s wearing the hat, it’s an ongoing job, not a temporary one.
“The grant manager oversees grant activities, maintains grant-related records and files, acts as a facilitator, and works with executive-level staff in other departments to coordinate grant processes,” according to Chron author Gail Sessoms.
“The grant manager’s duties might entail research and submission of grant proposals, collaborating with program staff to meet financial needs, and monitoring the use of awarded grants,” states Sessoms. “The grant manager develops relationships with potential funders and assists in the development of annual reports and marketing resources, such as the website and brochures.”
4. Spread the news
You’ll want to draw positive publicity for being awarded the grant. It’ll create welcome buzz for your funders and for your organization as well.
Share the news with pics on Instagram or Facebook about the project to be funded. Or give a shout-out to funders on Twitter. You may want to create a special video for your organization’s YouTube account.
5. Reporting
Now that you’ve received a grant, you need to be respectful and mindful of the gift. You’re accountable to use the money as promised and must be able to report how it was spent.
You also need to:
- Stay atop the deadlines
- Understand the requirements inside and out
- Keep communication flowing with your team and the funder
- Diligently track finances
Avoid:
- Submitting reports late
- Belatedly or not telling crucial team members what’s next
- Hiding bad news or ignoring problems
Remember to include a line item in the overall project budget that states “seeking additional funds,” too. After all, getting grants is often not an isolated event. You’ll probably need more funding for your project at a later time.
If you do end up procrastinating on report writing, give Williams Grant Writing a shout. We can help you get your post-award reporting done in time.
6. Get some inside know-how from outside help
Grant management is not a simple procedure. It requires hard work, dedication, and a deep understanding of the labyrinthine grants process. Need some help for this phase or in working on the next grant? Get the help you need from Williams Grant Writing.